How much does a chef and head cook make in St. Louis?
$64,480a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area. That is $31.00 an hour or $5,373 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.00
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 73 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 1,030
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,930Median: $64,480Highest 10%: $95,020
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,930 | $20.64 | |
| 25th | $49,360 | $23.73 | |
| Median | $64,480 | $31.00 | |
| 75th | $76,540 | $36.80 | |
| 90th | $95,020 | $45.68 |
Other cities in Missouri
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Springfield, MO | $67,460 |
| Kansas City, MO | $64,010 |
| Columbia, MO | $52,870 |
Related jobs in St. Louis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $38,520 |
| Cook | $38,490 |
| Cook | $37,690 |
| Cook | $36,200 |
| Food Server | $34,340 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $32,400 |
| Dishwasher | $32,180 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $31,930 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $31,260 |
| Bartender | $31,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in St. Louis?
The median hourly pay in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $31.00 ($64,480 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in St. Louis than the national average?
Yes: $64,480 against $62,470 nationally, 3% more.
How does St. Louis compare with the rest of Missouri?
The median in Missouri is $64,480, so St. Louis pays 0% more.
Where does St. Louis rank for chef and head cook pay?
73 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in St. Louis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,930 or less a year; the top 10% make $95,020 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.